I send this letter to the guardian.
They did not deem it good enough to be published so it comes here.
I would like to point out my differences to your analysis (The
heavy price of feudal nostalgia, The Guardian, May 26, 2005). Being a
Nepali citizen, I am amazed to find a rather narrow point of view
taken by most liberal democracies and critics in the west towards the
present scenario of Nepal. They, unlike the King's ambivalent words
about democracy, are curtly demanding "a restoration of democracy"
which is entirely out of the realm of the current scenario.
I would like to put a more pragmatic perspective, but also
taking the recent background into account ,of the present imbroglio
in Nepal.
Ever since the inception of democracy brought about by a popular
revolution in 1990, the country has witnessed one after another
corrupt, ineffective and effete governments whose problems were
compounded by frequent bandhs(strikes) called by whosoever is in the
opposition. These strikes occurring as frequently as twice a week ,not
only severely restricted the economic outlook of the country ,but also
coupled with mismanagement and plutocratic rule and widespread
corruption, led to the strengthening of the underground Maoist
movement. They (Maoist) came into existence promising a stoppage of
the rampant corruption , mismanagement and an end to the plutocratic
elite's rule. It is not that unknown that most part of Nepal is still
without the most tenuous necessities like electricity and safe water.
So, a large proportion of the rural population with their rustic mind
felt embolden by the Maoist and supported them wholeheartedly. Mass
torture and corruption were prevalent before the Maoist, so it is of
no surprise that the Maoist were able to stand on these issues and
increase their strength day by day. Meanwhile the political parties
were (probably like elsewhere in the world) widely loathed and
detested. Their constant in-fighting and frequent bandhs ,which led
the nation to a standstill too many times, simply led to further
despair among the people. Some ,like in the communist states ,started
to say openly that they wish that they were still in the pre-democracy
days of 1990 when there was less corruption , less mismanagement, and
less strikes.
It is thus no surprise that most Nepalese including the few educated
cautiously supported the King's move, as he said that he had to take
this step to preserve democracy and he "promised" not only to restore
democracy but strengthen it. I was not surprised that many Nepalese
people who were effected by the Maoist extortion racket totally
accepted and welcomed the move. One such example would be my
friend(who would remain anonymous) ,whose family were routinely
extorted by the Maoists. Up to Rs 50,000 were extorted from his family
in the cause for supporting the "Maoist People's revolution". Any
attempt to ask help from the security forces was futile because in the
remote location of Tanahu, almost 100 Km east of Pokhara, where they
live, the Maoist hold the supremacy of both numbers and tactics. If
the security forces had found out their contribution ,the whole family
would had been put into jail and tortured. In such a milieu of
violence ,extortion and strikes ,it is no surprised that his educated
family whole heartedly welcomed the royal move.
Since the royal move, the mismanagement has lessened (yes) , the
corruption level has gone down ,and the street lights are working
again. Most importantly the bandhs are gone. It is no wonder that most
people stayed away from the protests of the political parties ,which
ordinary people think is another ruse to put themselves into power.
It is ironical that on February 1, using a abstruse clause of the
same constitution that bars him from capturing power , the King took
control of the country. Since then , the Maoist Party (yes, it is
still called a party) have been considerably weakened (not by the
army) ,but by the same in-fighting that weakened its democratic
counterparts. Apparently, two most prominent figures of the Maoist
movement Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and the enigmatic head of the Maoists,
Prachanda , have taken different routes. It has also come to be known
that there is a strong possibility of a war between the two factions.
This fact has been glossed over by the western media totally.
The total lack of participation of the so called "mass movement" by
the democratic parties against the tyranny of the king has been
omitted from the viewpoint of the western perspective. In 1990 ,
hundreds of thousands of people filled up the streets and the king was
forced to give up his powers. Today ,the protests encompasses a few
hundred party cadres and the leaders themselves.
It is clear that hundreds of political detainees had been arrested
,some of them subsequently released, some not. Freedom of expression
(guaranteed by the constitution) is under danger ,and the freedom
enjoyed by journalists has been curtailed. Dozens of FM stations
(including news stations) had mushroomed during the democratic days
,unrivalled in most parts of Asia , but they have since been muzzled.
Even the 24 hour BBC FM station is allowed to broadcast only 45
minutes out of every hour. But , high standard of journalism
,particularly from newspapers like The Himalayan Times, has insured
that constructive criticism is not dead yet.
In light of the situation , I think a more pragmatic approach should
be undertaken.
Feudal fiefdoms and Monarchy needs to be dissolved everywhere. But
since the King has the power, and it is extremely unlikely that he
will give his power voluntarily, a system inclusive of the king has to
be sought. Tripartite talks between the king ,the parties and Maoists
is one possible scenario. I believe that if the parties give up their
belligerence , there is a strong probability of a return of democratic
frameworks. But ,surprise surprise !
The parties are not interested in talking! After all they see that the
king is likely to loot the country's treasure which they themselves
were doing with impunity. It is clear that the international pressure
should be put on the parties ,not only on the kings.
Even in the present situation the level of freedom is unprecedented,
civilians are not being murdered for expressing their views. Those who
are being tortured are tortured not for their political beliefs but
the "suspicion" of being a Maoist. Newspapers like The Himalayan Times
still carry articles with strong criticisms against the king. And the
level of corruption has gone down. Strikes have vanished. Maybe things
have gotten better. I am not supporting this regime, but they say when
choosing always choose the lesser evil.
I say that like everybody else( the Maoists ,the parties etc) give
the King a chance . He says that he will return democracy . If he does
not he forecast his own doom. Undoubtedly democracy has fallacies but
still is the best system. But till we can have elections(75% of Nepal
is in hands of Maoists), maybe we can do with the present system. So
until talks( the only way to resolve the Maoist problem) and return to
democracy or ultimate demise of Monarchy, elections seems impossible.
If democracy returns now, people will belch knowing where the power
will go under that democracy: those corrupt politicians who give a
damn about their constituents. Maybe it is a time to update the
constitution so that instead of a prime minister we have a president
who could be elected from the people itself.
As for me ,being a computer engineering graduate , from Kathmandu
University ,and still searching for the ever elusive job(no doubt the
economic stagnation brought about by the frequent bandhs and the
insurgency being a contributing factor) or a scholarship somewhere
else , I give a damn to the politicians and hope that they never come
to power.